My French Chateau Obsession

My French chateau obsession began about a year ago when I stumbled upon the HGTV series, “Escape To The Chateau”. Finally, a home show featuring turrets and moats instead of shiplap and subway tile !! 

Throughout dark winter days and almost a month of quarantine I binge watched the antics of British ex-pats, Dick & Angel Strawbridge, as they artfully restored their 19th c. chateau in rural France. I couldn’t get enough and was thrilled to find that the Strawbridge’s went on to film “Escape To The Chateau DIY” which offers a seemingly endless number of episodes featuring the trials and triumphs of other entertaining, chateau owning Brits.

At the height of my chateau obsession (and out for my first post-pandemic antiquing day) I discovered a dusty packet of vintage FRENCH postcards in an antique store and just knew they were meant for me. With my (very) limited French I picked out a few endearing terms and knew these notes with their lovely and lyrical script would make the perfect romantic pairing with my botanical paintings.

Voila! Introducing my newest botanical series, 

“Love Notes From The Chateau”

“Love Note From The Chateau” 5

Botanical Watercolor Painting on Vintage French Postcard.

6”x8” Vintage Frame. Italian Marble Paper in Peacock Green Matting.

“Love Note From The Chateau” 5. Detail

Looking to fuel your own chateau obsession?? Here are a few more of my faves…

“Doing It Ourselves” - Chateau De La Basmaignee

“Chateau Mareuil” - Aesthetically this is hands down my favorite chateau.

“The Chateau Diaries” - For some real chateau glamour

Margaret James - What’s In A Name? Part 2

What’s in the name “Margaret James”? When deciding on a name for my new Fine Art & Design business I knew I wanted it to be bigger than me - an “umbrella” of sorts that would leave me room to grow into something creatively bigger than just a place to showcase my artwork. The name “Margaret James” is a nod to two of my biggest inspirations, my talented and creative grandmother (the subject of a past newsletter) and my talented and determined son.

Today I’ll share a little bit about James and the important part he plays in my success. (fair warning - this email may be more about soccer than art :)

James on his first day of preschool.

It was apparent even at this age that I had a single minded and obsessively focused boy on my hands. If it wasn’t Thomas the Tank Engine he wanted nothing to do with it! (hence the Thomas lunchbox)

His focus soon after moved to Lego, but to this day he is true to his temperament - if he is truly interested in something he puts his whole heart and mind into it.

Around the age of 8 James surprised us with the announcement that he wanted to play soccer. His request came seemingly out of the blue as no one in our family played soccer and neither did any of his friends. He knew what he wanted, persisted in asking, and this began a journey which has led him to playing soccer at Hood College and for the Ocean City Nor’easters. This is a kid who listens for inspiration, follows his gut, and puts his all into the path he chooses. 

As someone who can tend towards second guessing my intuition, I only need look at James to remind me to stay true to my path and know that success will follow. I look forward to seeing where this journey leads him and I’m proud to be alongside him for the ride.

The following quote from Thoreau is something I continually have to remind myself of but by some blessing is how James naturally lives his life…

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

Probably the only “art related” picture I have of James as he expresses his natural talents on the field rather than on the drawing table.

Some shenanigans he was creating for a “man cave” he and his friends were building. I was employed to draw the outlines (even at this age he stills needs me sometimes!) and he even admitted that he enjoyed painting!

Margaret James - What’s In A Name? Part 1

What’s in the name “Margaret James”? When deciding on a name for my new Fine Art & Design business I knew I wanted it to be bigger than me - an “umbrella” of sorts that would leave me room to grow into something creatively bigger than just a place to showcase my artwork. The name “Margaret James” is a nod to two of my biggest inspirations, my talented and creative grandmother and my talented and determined son.

Today I’ll share a little bit about Margaret aka “Nana” and the important part she played in my success as an artist.

Margaret Long at her wedding to my grandfather, James Gilland, in 1940.

Haddon Heights, NJ.

Margaret graduated from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia where many years later I would follow in her footsteps. While I studied Textile Design, she graduated with a degree in Fashion Illustration. We are very fortunate to have a portfolio of her illustrations from her Senior Project at Moore. ( I have a project in the works featuring these charming drawings so stay tuned…)

Fashion Illustrations from Moore College of Art

Throughout her life Margaret used her creativity in many ways : sewing beautiful clothing, decorating her home, painting furniture, but her real love was painting in watercolor. Later in life she had more time to devote to her artwork and she was the first to recognize my artistic talent. At her urging my mother enrolled me in watercolor lessons at the age of 5. I was fortunate to have had my Nana as my biggest supporter Nearly until I was finished college. A large part of what has motivated me as a professional artist is knowing how fortunate I am to have opportunities she could have only dreamed of. I think she would be very proud! 

(but also mortified that I’m showcasing her artwork here! :)

A beautiful watercolor floral by my Nana, Margaret Gilland.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?

Exciting News From The Studio

After much deliberation, hemming and hawing and foot dragging, I’m launching “Margaret James Design” to showcase my original artwork.

Cape May Decorating Co. was begun solely as my Color Consultation business but like so many things in these “unprecedented times” has morphed into something very different. Not bad - just different!

With lots of time at home this past year I began to re-focus on things close to my heart - my artwork and my garden - and my pursuits took on a life of their own! And while I will still be consulting on interior paint color with Cape May Decorating Co., my focus will be on showcasing my original artwork and related products through my new design business, Margaret James Design. (more about the name later…)

I hope you’ll follow along on this new journey!

xo Erin